Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Act 2, Shadows of the Royal Capital
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*
Fernandez's sleep pattern was six hours every three days. Not split into two-hour chunks, but literally sleeping once every three days. Experiments had shown that was the precise minimum needed to maintain basic bodily functions.
Deep into the night, he sat cross-legged on his bed with a knife resting on his thigh. For several nights now, he'd been experimenting to restore his mana.
‘The Demonica flesh is just too damn efficient.’
-In your past life, you would've wrapped this up by sixty.
‘If I'd been Demonica back then, I never would've learned magic in the first place.’
Fernandez flexed his fingers lightly and swiftly formed hand seals. The piercing wound in his abdomen was healing, and the mana circuits in his body had already been burned away by the divine energy flowing through his blood.
-Tsssh...
A sharp pain shot through his left arm, and his mana scattered into fragments. He released the Bronze Throne onto the table. Its functions were slowly returning.
‘Once a day, maybe?’
It had completely lost functionality from the overexertion during Infermer, but as expected of an ancient demon's relic.
-Knock knock.
‘Are you asleep?’
‘Come in.’
Fernandez quickly slipped the Bronze Throne onto his wrist and spoke. The door opened soon after. Abel appeared with a faint smile, wearing a thin gown. Fresh from a bath, she brushed her damp hair back and sat facing him.
‘It’s far too late for a lady to visit.’
‘...?’
‘A scandal would be disastrous. A woman sneaking into a young knight’s room under cover of night.’
Abel grinned mischievously, propping her chin on her hand as she gazed at him. Fernandez chuckled.
‘If you’re scared of scandal, couldn’t this wait until daytime?’
‘You’re no fun. I came because I have questions for you.’
Abel pouted briefly, then looked at him and spoke.
‘You said you made a deal with Beitasser. That you turned back the horizontal world. So, the more I think about it these past few days, the stranger it seems. Before the world turned back, were you... a black mage?’
‘Yes.’
‘A terribly powerful one, I imagine?’
‘Depends on your perspective.’
‘Did you borrow demonic power?’
‘I even commanded demons.’
‘Then why?’
Abel paused, carefully choosing her words. Even if, by some chance, he’d been a horrific villain, that was the past. His recent actions had been righteous and just. Abel opened her mouth cautiously.
‘Why would the Holy Pantheon of Good Gods turn back the world for your sake?’
‘The world is going to end.’
‘...What?’
Abel froze. She stared at him, demanding an explanation. Facing humanity’s guardian dragon, Fernandez began his confession.
‘The world is going to end. I hope it can be reversed, but it might not be possible. This era is rotting from the roots. Every village, city, and nation where people gather has been infiltrated by demon worshippers and cults. The wise ones are succumbing to hell’s temptations.’
‘Such times have always come and gone, yet you humans always...’
‘Not this time. Abel. Not this time.’
Fatigue shadowed Fernandez’s eyes. He shook his head.
‘The five great archdemons will all descend upon the earth. The Pantheon has sealed its gates, and humanity is frail. The heroes will hang themselves in despair. That’s the fate awaiting us—the one I foresaw, the one I actively brought about.’
‘Is there... any hope?’
‘No hope. Just desperation. And me.’
To Abel, with her sad eyes brimming, Fernandez spoke firmly.
‘I’m here. That’s why I returned, why I swore it. Call it vile hypocrisy or worthless atonement if you like. I haven’t repented, and I won’t. But I’m here. The demon worshipper who ruined the widest swaths of land and drove the most heroes to their graves in the last world.’
‘If the Pantheon revived you to save human civilization, why are you so eagerly honoring their promise?’
Fernandez pondered her question. Could he trust her? Should he say it? Her affection wasn’t mere fondness for a human hero. It bordered on love.
He wasn’t a fool. Far from oblivious or stupid—otherwise, he wouldn’t have survived so long. He was a black mage who knew how to probe hearts, and he’d exploited those gaps quite actively.
But he had no right to exploit her goodwill. Fernandez spoke slowly.
‘I bargained for my son’s soul to be saved.’
‘...What...??’
Abel’s eyes widened. A son...? He had a child? Then a wife too? Humans reproduced that way, yes. Of course.
...Right. Abel steadied her breathing. But a son?
‘Your wife!’
‘...What?’
‘Ah, um. Er. Ahem... You had a wife? Of course. A man like you would. Yes. I was too narrow-minded. A wife. Such a chaste, beautiful woman, no doubt...’
Abel stammered, avoiding his gaze.
‘He hasn’t even been born yet.’
‘...Quite the age gap... You were into that?’
‘A huge one.’
‘How huge...?’
Abel needed to know how much time she had left. If he didn’t exist yet in this era, she still had a chance! Just then, a commotion erupted from below the inn. Clashing armor and whinnying horses.
‘Albert of Cerned!! Are you here!!’
‘...Uninvited guests.’
‘The guests I’ve been waiting for.’
Fernandez thought it a relief inwardly as he buckled on his sword belt and stood. He hadn’t expected them at night, but he’d hear their reasons soon enough.
*
Baier Meer was causing a racket in front of the inn, mounted on his horse. The inn’s servants didn’t dare stop him. When a Round Table Knight wanted to make noise, that’s what happened.
‘Knight Albert! I am Baier Meer of Altheis! Come face me!!’
‘May I call that rude?’
The inn door opened, and a weary young man stepped out. Baier Meer laughed heartily, but his eyes scanned sharply.
Slender yet solidly trained build. The black curls and blue eyes of the Cerned barony. Roughened by hardship, yet retaining noble delicacy in his jawline.
‘Ah, just like Lucas.’
Baier Meer’s smile deepened. He dismounted with a friendly expression. Thud—a heavy impact. Clanking in his armor, he strode up and clapped the young man’s shoulder.
‘Hm!! Splendidly trained. Tall, good bones. For that guy’s supposedly frail son! Ha, rumors must be wrong! Good news!!’
Baier Meer grinned warmly, pounding the young man’s shoulder. With steel gauntlets on! The youth winced briefly.
‘Even a Round Table Knight shouldn’t be so rude.’
‘Rude! No one’s spoken to me like that lately! Hahaha. Perfect. Rude!’
-Shing.
Baier Meer stepped back and drew his sword from its saddle sheath. He bellowed boldly.
‘Pointing out rudeness to a knight means tarnishing his honor! Come, Albert of Cerned! Let’s see if you’re worthy!’
‘Showing up at night to pick a fight?’
-Look at his eyes. He’s after something.
‘This is unexpected. Why’s the old man doing this?’
-Round Table Knights are politicians. Stay sharp.
-Shing.
Fernandez smiled at Feizashi’s words and drew his blade. If the man had ulterior motives and wanted to play rough, fine.
‘I’ve never let my guard down.’
*
Baier Meer wiped sweat from his brow, frowning. Before him stood Fernandez, panting and leaning on his sword. He’d put up a decent fight, but his skills lacked maturity and depth. Baier Meer barked discontentedly.
‘Your father was a knight of finesse, yet how do you fight like a bear?’
‘Did you know my father?’
‘Of course! Albert. I wondered why you’d hide your name!’
‘...You knew me, so there must be a reason you came.’
‘Hahaha! Truly nothing like your father! That rascal Lucas, hiding a son like you. Hahaha.’
Baier Meer finally laughed freely, supporting the staggering Fernandez. He exclaimed in surprise.
‘Whoa, you’re burning up! Fever?’
‘It’s nothing.’
‘Nothing my ass! Is this... blood? You’re injured?! From the troll?’
‘No.’
‘I jumped to conclusions! Let’s go inside! It’s cold!’
Baier Meer barely seemed to hear him. He dragged Fernandez into the inn regardless. Servants hurriedly cleared the way. Inside, Kirhas and Abel watched with worried eyes.
Baier Meer grinned at the sight.
‘Your father was like a rock, but the son’s a womanizer!’
‘...Mindless chatter.’
‘Hahaha! I’m just glad. So glad! You’ve grown well!’
Kirhas rushed over to support Fernandez. She glared at Baier Meer with sharp eyes, growling. Baier Meer laughed cheerfully.
*
After shooing out the servants, Baier Meer downed cold beer. He frowned at Fernandez rebandaging his wounds.
‘Attacked by an evil spirit?’
‘It’s nothing.’
‘The wound’s a piercing one. Three inches above the navel. A bit higher and your heart or lungs would’ve burst. You fought like that?’
‘I managed.’
‘Youth! Wonderful! Back in my day, I didn’t count arrows unless it was four or more!’
Baier Meer roared with laughter, slamming the table. He was noisy. This old knight still brimmed with vigor. Fernandez held off judging Round Table Knights as mere politicians.
‘So, to what do I owe the visit? You could’ve come at a better time.’
‘Couldn’t wait. I leave the city tomorrow! Wanted to see your face first!’
‘Then why not during the day?’
‘Some talks don’t suit daylight. Anyway, these ladies trustworthy?’
‘More than you, at least.’
‘Hahaha! Got spirit! That’s how young ones should be!’
Baier Meer laughed long, then pulled his chair close. He eyed Fernandez sharply.
‘Fernandez, son of Lucas. When you fought the wraiths, any other info?’
‘You know what they were?’
‘Burial Cult bastards. Your turn.’
‘Minions of the Necropolis. They said they’d allied with the Burial Cult.’
‘Why hide your name?’
‘Secrets have their reasons.’
‘Ha! Cheeky!’
‘Honest.’
‘Then answer honestly.’
Baier Meer set down his mug and crossed his arms. His thick forearms bulged.
‘Like your father, do you swear loyalty to the kingdom?’
The kingdom faced civil strife. The Fairn royals’ unrest was ominous, the Gaimearn dynasty elves had vanished suddenly, the Franzrit bloodline building power in the northwest had disappeared, the Burial Cult gnawed from within, and King Helrga’s illness worsened.
In this crisis, a young knight rising anonymously could be a liability. Tracking links between Franzrit and the Burial Cult, Baier Meer needed info to trust this youth fully.
‘No.’
‘...Backed by Fairn?’
‘No.’
‘Franzrit? Empire? Burial Cult? Whoever it is, Lucas would grieve!’
‘None of those. On the contrary, I’m trying to help the Dane royal house.’
Baier Meer tilted his head, urging more. Fernandez sighed and continued.
‘The Fairn royals will declare war on Dane Kingdom soon. Can you handle it?’
‘They’re farmer priests!’
‘Then Dane soldiers are hillbilly root-diggers. Truth is, Fairn’s not pristine, but war now means heavy losses.’
‘...They won’t emerge unscathed either.’
‘I plan to prevent that. Keep both kingdoms’ strength from wasting on petty strife. For a greater war.’
‘...The Fifty Years’ War?’
‘Bigger.’
The era’s grandest war was the Empire’s Fifty Years’ War. But soon, northern barbarians would invade south. Erik the Black. When his warriors marched, the eastern kingdoms nearly fell.
Back then, Fairn Griffin Knights struck Erik’s camp at suicidal odds to hold the line, but if Dane’s Round Table Knights hadn’t shattered the enemy depths? Without that united front?
Erik would’ve crushed the east. The Empire would lose the Century War, the Sultanate would fall. Who’d stop Karadskar’s five thousand gé?
Infermer toppled one elven house, but Fairn-Dane rift would doom the east.
That couldn’t happen. Within his power, humanity must preserve more strength than last time.
If his blood was needed, gladly. Fernandez stood, wrapping fresh bandages, and donned his tunic. Baier Meer looked up.
‘Fairn’s a threat, but ignoring the Burial Cult leaves you unprepared.’
‘I was handling that.’
‘You need to meet someone.’
As he spoke, the inn door opened. A man in thick robes strode in. Fernandez looked; the man threw back his hood.
Platinum hair gleamed under lantern light. Emerald eyes sparkled as he smiled. Baier Meer stood and approached.
‘Show respect. The rightful heir, Prince Helrga.’
‘I heard you were escorted for Inquisition at Beitasser Church. Good to see you well.’
The young prince, Helrga, smiled brightly and extended a hand. Gripping Fernandez’s, he said.
‘Pleased to meet you. Vicente Burgana.’
‘Vicente? Hero-King Vicente?’
-Chronologically, about his father.
‘Big shot.’
‘Will you come to the capital with me?’
‘Gladly.’
Fernandez knelt on one knee. Perfect. Royal backing would smooth everything.